Ability Athletics

Ability Athletics

Penn State students, coaches and faculty researchers making a difference in the world are featured in the next episode of "BTN LiveBIG," which debuts at 11 p.m. Eastern time tonight (Jan. 13) on the Big Ten Network (BTN). "BTN LiveBIG" caps an evening of Penn State programming on the network, starting with the Nittany Lion men's ice hockey facing off against No. 1-ranked Minnesota at 7 p.m.

Ryan Cusack, a kinesiology major and president of the Penn State Adaptive Outreach Club, organized the first annual Jay Thomas Memorial Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, which was held in December 2012. For his effort with the tournament as well as his other work helping people with disabilities, Cusack received the 2012-13 USA Today Student Leadership Award.

The Penn State men's lacrosse program recently donated $2,940 to the Wounded Warrior Project. The Nittany Lions teamed with Penn State Ability Athletics head coach Teri Jordan to raise the money and submit the donation.

The Penn State Ability Athletics program welcomes Wounded Warrior athletes from the Navy Safe Harbor on Friday for a seated volleyball game at Rec Hall. The Navy Wounded Warriors will face the Penn State women's volleyball team in a seated match at the conclusion of the Nittany Lions men's volleyball match against Lees-McRae at 7 p.m.

The Penn State Ability Athletics program in conjunction with the Adaptive Outreach Club will host the inaugural Jay Thomas Wheelchair Basketball Tournament at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the White Building.

The Penn State Ability Athletics program received a $13,000 grant from the United State Olympic Committee (USOC) and Veteran Affairs (VA) on Thursday evening. The Penn State program, which assists Paralympic athletes who compete on a daily basis, also hosts a variety of events, games and tournaments on the University Park campus for Wounded Warriors and disabled athletes. The USOC and VA are in the third year of running the Olympic Opportunity Fund.

Penn State will serve as the host site for Sitting Volleyball exhibition matches on Saturday, Feb. 25. Members of the Army Wounded Warriors sitting volleyball team, as well as athletes from Penn State Ability Athletics and the Penn State women's volleyball team will participate in the exhibition matches. The matches are scheduled to begin immediately following the Penn State men's volleyball match vs. George Mason scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday evening.

Penn State Ability Athletics program is collaborating with the Navy Safe Harbor Army Wounded Warriors to host adaptive athletes this weekend in several disciplines. In addition to the sports, a basketball clinic will be hosted on Sunday (Feb. 6), while athletes will also participate in swimming and track & field.